The Rotary Club of Marathon is seeking two additional local families to host an exchange student for three months each. The program provides an opportunity to learn new perspectives, explore new customs and be exposed to a different culture.
Kelly Williams, Marathon resident and Marathon Rotary Club member, grew up with exchange students in her home and will soon be welcoming the exchange student to her Marathon home with her husband Sam and stepdaughter Mia.
“Growing up, my family hosted seven students and I have been able to keep in contact with five of them in the years since,” Williams said. “The program truly opens you up to the world and is such a special experience. Sam’s family also hosted a student years ago and now we want to share the experience with our family. Sam and I recently went on a trip and connected with both of our exchange students. We all met up in Volendam, a fishing village in the Netherlands, and had so much fun.”
The program allows students ages 15 to 18 to live with host families and attend Marathon High School. Students who are selected undergo a thorough vetting process and must have medical insurance and strong academic records. Host families are responsible for housing and meals for the student, including the student in family outings and supporting the student in school and extracurricular activities. The students have health insurance and are provided spending money by Rotary.
Jesus Parra, who lives in Marathon and is a Marathon Rotary Club member, was a youth exchange student in another program and said the experience was invaluable.
“Being part of a youth exchange program was, without a doubt, the best 12 months of my life,” Parra said. “The personal growth I experienced during that time truly shaped who I am today. I met one of my best friends, who I’m still close to, and I gained a second family in Port Edwards, Wisconsin, who I stay in touch with and try to see as often as I can. Hosting a student from another country can truly change their life in ways only an exchange student can explain. I’m so excited to see some join our community soon.”
For more information on becoming a host family, visit https://www.ryese.org/page/hostor contact Mary Ann Royse at maroyse@gmail.com or Kelly Williams at kelgeorgie@hotmail.com.
